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Veterans succeed in the civilian workforce as employers put a premium on their skill sets.

Veterans are those to whom our country owes a debt of gratitude - and collectively we thank them for their service.

And while veterans represent all branches of the service, ethnicities, religions, gender and industries, Hispanic veterans at G4S, NAVAIR, DynCorp, Amazon, New York Life Insurance Company and Southwest Airlines outstandingly represent companies committed to hiring veterans.

Learn more about their career journeys from military to civilian service, and find out what advice they have for fellow Hispanic professionals and veterans on the same journey.

G4S’ Perez Uses Military Skills to Train Security Personnel

As a training specialist for G4S Secure Solutions, Jarus Perez has been with this worldwide, 610,000-employee, Jupiter, FL-based organization for the past two years. A former U.S. Army Calvary scout and military police officer, he served for seven years, four months and 16 days, participating in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

“Being deployed multiple times showed me the value of strong leadership,” says Perez, who, during his military career, transitioned into leadership roles, achieving the position of platoon sergeant.

“In this capacity my main concern was taking care of my soldiers and allocating all resources at my disposal to provide them with the skills and equipment needed to complete the mission,” he explains.

Today Perez’s Army training carries over to his position at G4S, whose global headquarters is in the U.K. At this integrated security company specializing in the provision of security products, services and solutions, he trains security officers, providing them with the tools necessary to excel at their duties.

Acknowledging that transitioning from military service to the civilian workforce was difficult, Perez describes it as “the most challenging endeavor I ever experienced.”

Wounded in Afghanistan in 2011 by an IED that exploded two feet from where he was positioned, Perez realized from that moment on his life would never be the same. Surgery and extensive physical therapy led to his separation from the military, leading this father of two to desperately search for his “identity” and a new purpose in life.

“That’s where G4S comes in. Becoming a part of this paramilitary organization definitely made the transition easier, and being used to the structure of the military allowed me to adapt more easily,” states Perez, who further notes his physician-prescribed service dog Odysseus (Ody) has been a great help in making the transition from his military to his civilian career.

For Perez, being passionate about the security industry played a large part in selecting a second career. “Working at G4S allowed me to pass the knowledge I gained from being in the field to others,” he says, praising the company’s military-friendly environment, as well as the value it places on hiring former military personnel for the experience they bring.

Mentioning his love of training during his military career, he adds, “When a position as a training specialist opened at G4S, I jumped at the chance.”

Responsible for the initial orientation of new hires, as well as maintaining contract-required training for each site and officer, Perez’s duties also include serving as gun custodian, American Heart Association First Aid/CPR instructor, Glock Armorer and NRA pistol instructor.

“The security industry is growing at an expeditious rate,” he says, stressing “loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage,” the seven Army values necessary for those considering a career in security.

Perez’s advice to combat-injured veterans is to reach out to local Veterans’ Administration facilities to inquire about available resources.

“Be proactive, persistent, and don’t wait until the last minute. Surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people is crucial to an effective transition,” says Perez, who not only relishes having the opportunity to train people, but also enjoys watching those he trains progress and improve their abilities while helping to secure our world.

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